Danielle Carr, a rising young singer, songwriter and producer, is an independent artist based in New York whose objective is to, in her words, “Stay true to her voice.” A refreshing, soulful mixture of  Pop, R&B, Jazz, Hip-Hop and even Indie favoring melodies along with a powerful pen; Danielle creates lyrics that give the audience no choice but to feel penetrated completely by her wave of talent. Her ability to cater to any genre, a graceful powerhouse with stage presence, all while deliberately sending an important message to her audience, will blow you away.

1.) What elements and/or characteristics made you say to yourself that you wanted to do music for a living? Who are your influences/heroes/role models?

Music, to me, is not something you can push out. Music is something that lives inside of you, something that’s almost hidden inside of yourself. I’ve always loved music, but never thought of it as a career until my parents heard me singing in a karaoke microphone at 4. I’ve always loved singing and writing music, and I’m just really lucky to be able to do it as a career. My biggest influences were within music I heard through the house. My dad was a big jazz and funky soul fan, so I heard a lot of Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Aretha, Anita, Isley Brothers you know. My mother is super religious, so I grew up in the church and around Gospel music. I listened to a lot of Shirley Caesar, Kirk Franklin, The Winans siblings, and even Marvin Sapp. However, I grew to deeply admire certain artists and genres for myself, as well.

2.) If you could compare yourself to an already established artist, who would that be and why? If you don’t like to compare yourself, then music-wise, what separates you from other musicians?

I don’t really look at an artist or hear a song and go “Okay, yes, I want my music to sound like this or that.” I just think I really love music and understand the weight that goes into writing it. Amy Winehouse is and was a huge inspiration of mine, and she encouraged me to separate myself by being hands on with my music. I have been writing since I was nine years old, but she encouraged me to be true and painfully perceptible. My lyricism is probably one of the most meticulous parts of my music…words are forever.

3.) Everyone in life goes through adversity of some sort. Is there anything in your life that has any influence on the kind of songs you write? What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure on your path to becoming a musician?

Like I’ve mentioned, I’m just lucky to be an artist…life can be very grim and discouraging. Life can be easy to throw away, and I struggle a lot with my mindset and how I feel about myself. I’m more than sure that I am my worst critic…so I tend to beat myself up a lot. But I get to be on a piano and write for a few hours and feel better, and not everyone has that. So I always tell myself through my music that it’s going to be okay, somehow.

4.) How do you prepare yourself to write certain songs? What is your song-writing and recording process?

A song can’t be pushed out or forced. People can smell that from a mile away. That kind of processed music, to me, just isn’t fair to myself. I truly believe in being organic, that’s the only way people will see you through the music. I write when I feel trapped, lost, fucked up… I can just put it on a piece of paper and at least be kind of done with it.

5.) Unfortunately the music industry is full of talented individuals who just don’t get any recognition for their talent and/or work. What do you plan to do to make sure you stand out and get noticed?

I don’t think there’s anything I can do. Let’s face it, I can hire a whole bunch of silly agents to dress me up like a clown and fix up my Instagram, but if people don’t want to listen, they won’t. I think people are just chosen. And I’m just honored to be heard, even on a small platform. I’m okay with not being famous, I don’t even know how I’d handle it.

6.) Would you rather be on a major label or would you rather stay independent? Why or why not? In regards to the music industry itself, do you think that the traditional music industry model as we know it is dead?

I’d like to stay independent. I definitely would never sign to a major label, but maybe in the future I’ll consider an independent contract. I just want my creative freedom. I just want to be able to pour my heart into something and put it out there. I definitely feel as though the music industry has changed immensely, but I don’t think the audience has, you know? We’ve always had one-hit wonders, jokes for artists, but there’s always a handful of artists from each generation that changed something or that resonated with us. And I’m grateful for that.

7.) How do you think the internet and social media affected the music industry and how musicians are able to market themselves? There are multiple ways of attaining fans and building up your fanbase, so what are some ways you acquire fans?

I definitely think there’s a lot of washed up music because of social media. Social media’s made music lazy, and effortless; fleeting music. It’s the main reason 80% of my library is full of retro music or retro sounding music. When I first released music, I grew my supporting base by consistently gigging, and getting to know my audience. You have to make your community love you, and start there. Eventually, I was able to travel in and out of state to perform, and even out of the country.

8.) Social media is obviously an extremely important element in today’s world, especially when it comes to business, branding, marketing, etc. With that being said, do you think an artist will be able to survive in today’s music industry if they’re not social media savvy?

I think they definitely can, but they should hire someone to do it for them. I understand the frustration of marketing via social media. It gets very artificial.

9.) Artists who try to make music for the general public and make more money are usually seen as “sell-outs.” Do you see it that way and if so, what do you plan to do to make sure your music stays true to your brand and make a good living at the same time without having to “sell out”?

People are just jealous of others’ success. Sellout implies that an artist was once true, and compromised their music’s value for a brand. Selling out is not equivalent to a big budget or even a change in sound; it’s about the objective of the music. Most of the time, the artist already sucks and then they just have a bigger platform to suck on and their fans realize it; it’s very much so the case with a lot of Pop artists in music today. People are possessive of music and artists, which hasn’t really changed, and it hinders artists from expanding their audience and I think it’s selfish. My music stays and forever will be true, because I don’t need to hide.

10.) What are the positives and negatives of the music industry? What is it about the music industry that makes some artists push forward? What do you think makes some artists quit? If you were to advise an up and coming musician on how to get more fans, what advice would you give them?

I don’t think I could say anything about the mainstream industry, but that it has swallowed a lot of true musicians whole. However, what I can say, from what I’ve seen and experienced in the underground music industry, is that I see why people fall astray; I am constantly checking myself, because it’s so easy to get lost. If someone were to ask my advice, I would tell them to be true to their voice, their sound, and their roots.

11.) What trends do you see staying or going?

Hopefully washed up pop music will be a fleeting trend.

12.) Professionally, where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

I’d like to be working in music still. I’d love to still be gigging, and continue creating music whenever I want, however I want. I would love to be touring the West coast, as I’ve already done most of the East. Hopefully I’ll just be happy.